1

News from THEATRE NEW ZEALAND Fostering Community Theatre in Aotearoa

October/September 2018 Vol.41 Issue 5

A polished performance by Rangi Ruru pictured here with the new Book of Honour and the new Youth trophy won for Girls Like That by Evan Placey. See p4 for the girls’ euphoria at the awards ceremony at which director

Peter Rutherford paid tribute to their input into the end result.

www.theatrenewzealand.co.nz

2

A superb feat and feast of fantastic theatre!

Those who attended the finals of TheatreFest in Wellington, September 2018 will surely agree that New Zealand TheatreFest is alive and kicking. There were individual moments of magic, ensembles of enchantment and points of poignancy. I enjoyed the various pieces performed and also the energy generated by the contributing teams. The audience showed they were equally entertained. A nod here to the high presence of New Zealand written theatre, the number of youth productions and the amazing variety of art on display. I also was grateful for the sensitive and insightful comments made by Hillary Norris the adjudicator. The adjudicator's role is not only to evaluate the performances but also to inspire and educate the community on the art of theatre craft. The Theatrefest 2018 results are on pages 4 and 5. Congratulations also to the Poster competition winners p.3 TheatreFest in 2019 will be another exciting event and groups and companies are encouraged to start preparing their productions early. We are also grateful to have the following (re-)elected to council Steven Arnold President, Bryan Aitken Vice President, David Cox Treasurer Margaret Robertson Secretary; joined by Lorna Ashton, Brian Byas and Ewen Coleman, and seconded Mark Perry. Congratulations to the new Council. The Open Forum generated discussion around two major themes, the work of THEATRE NEW ZEALAND and the

mechcanics of THEATREFEST. Grateful thanks for the discussion that emerged, and the Executive will mull over these points in our upcoming meetings. NZ Theatre Month has also been a great success, and we are excited by the prospect promised for next year as this initiative takes hold. As screens dominate our lives, and algorithms control our daily processes, more and more I am excited by the vitality and reality of the live performance. Watching real people do real stuff is very exciting. Viva la theatre! Steven Arnold National President TheatreFest 2019 Note all Saturday/Sunday performances: National Finals: September 14/15 Venue TBA Regionals: August 17/18 and 24/25 Local Festivals: August 3/4 or earlier. Remember that technical assistance is available from members of National Executive as well as neighbouring clubs. Your National Executive has undertaken to look into the $300 licence fee charged by OneMusic for venue foyer music. It has been brought to our attention that this fee is the same for retailers who operate 7 days a week for at least 8 hours.

3

4

Adjudicator Hilary Norris had these plays to consider on Saturday: King John by Paul Percy from Harlequin Theatre, Masterton 2b or nt 2b by Sarah Delahunty from Diocesan School for Girls, Auckland Brothers in Arms by John Cocking from Napier Repertory Players Sunday: Green Grass by Jackson Page from St Andrews College, Christchurch Tiggy Tiggy Touch Wood by Renee from Wakatipu High School The Child by Olwen Wymark from Riccarton Players, Christchurch Girls Like That (extracts) by Evan Placey from Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, Christchurch

Girls Like That winners of the Book of Honour are flanked by Hilary Norris and Peter Rutherford their director. This new Book of Honour has space for a photo of each winning team opposite their certificate. Rangi Ruru also won the Bryan Aitken Award for Best Youth Production. Peter holds the new trophy and Rose Lewis accepts the certificate on behalf of the team.

The Ewen Coleman Award for Best Adult Production was won by The Child directed by Doug Clarke for Riccarton Players.

The Denise Walsh Best Production of a New Zealand Play was won by Green Grass directed by Jackson Page for St Andrews College. He’s pictured with Hilary Norris, Adjudicator and Steven Arnold, National President.

5

Best Actor Male was John Cocking as Norm in Brothers in Arms directed by Sharyn Hildreth for Napier Repertory Players and Best Actor Female was Jo Cowey as Lily in The Child for Riccarton Players.

The Selecon Design/ Technical Award was won by Wakatipu High School with Tiggy Tiggy Touch Wood directed by Kate Moetaua. Tamsan Hughes holds the certificate.

The three Jannat Aitchison Memorial Awards for Emerging Distinctive Talent were decided by past and present presidents and won by Hannah Coombe for her original music in Tiggy Tiggy Touch Wood; Leah McHugo as Tig in Tiggy Tiggy Touch Wood and Anisha de Silva as Hedda in 2b or nt 2b.

Two Drama Development Trust Awards were made to New Directors as chosen at Regional level: Emily Clelland directed 2b or nt to 2b Diocesan School for Girls and Jackson Page directed Green Grass St Andrews College. They are pictured with Margaret Robertson, DDT Secretary.

The Olga E Harding Award for Best New Play was won by Deborah Steele of Dargaville for The Rumour which was seen at the Upper North Island Regional in Taupo.

6

This month we bring you a wide selection of

popular plays of all

lengths. We can email these as perusal scripts for no charge. If you have any particular requirements we can also make other script suggestions. Email claire@playmarket.org.nz.

Comedy CAMPING by Chris Parker and Thomas Sainsbury. 2f, 2m A hilarious comedy about two couples double-booked in a Kiwi holiday home. JENNY AND THE TENNIS NUT by Hilary Beaton. 1f, 2m. A delightful re-telling of Janet Shulman’s popular children’s book. Using a magical combination of music, song, acrobatics and tennis, this is a delightful story about fathers and daughters, dreams and ambitions, and playing the game of life. GOOD GRIEF by Louise Proudfoot. 3f, 6m. A retired lawyer inherits the management of his recently deceased wife’s Community Charity shop and thinks it’s all a bit below him. What begins with an awkward introduction quickly escalates to a crisis. A face-paced comedy about a man that is coming terms with his grief. A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Dave Armstrong 3-5f, 5-13m Dickens’ classic is hilariously updated to 1990s New Zealand. A blisteringly funny attack on free market economics as well as a timeless heart-warming family yarn.

Drama CENTRAL by Dave Armstrong. 2f, 2m. A powerful drama in which the peace and beauty of Central Otago and the lure of Hollywood come head to head.

REVELATIONS by Lori Leigh. 4f, 1m. Middle of the day. Middle of the North Island. Middle of nowhere. When the Baker family matriarch receives a holy message informing her of the imminent Rapture, she summons her

prodigal daughters home. But everyone has their own plans of salvation when they realise this might be “the end.” Will they ascend into the clouds? Or be cast down into a fiery pit? Or is simply being together again hell itself? Great for young adult performers PUZZLE by Ben Anderson Flexible casting – 7-11 actors When a disillusioned puzzle piece believes he no longer fits into the puzzle, he decides to run away to find out where he truly belongs. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Joy Hellyer & Amy Whiterod. 16f, 12m. A large-cast stage adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic. A COLONIAL DEVOTION by Susan Battye 17f, 22m (or 7w, 8m with doubling) Based on ‘Letters to My Grandchildren’ by Jane Deans, this is the story of newly-wed and pregnant Jane who arrives at Riccarton from Scotland in 1853. Little does she know that her promised happy life to a successful Canterbury farmer and pillar of the Church of Scotland is soon to demand every ounce of fortitude she can muster to survive. KING JOHN by Paul Percy. 6f, 8m. Join us in the drama of the Magna Carta! King Richard has died and his brother John has taken over. Robin Hood has been executed. The Sheriff of Nottingham and his side-kick Sir Guy of Gisborne raise taxes. Things are looking very bleak!

Short Play FELINE HIGH-RISE SYNDROM by Rex McGregor. 2f, 2m. Doug is trying to persuade Sandra to move into an inner-city apartment building. She isn’t keen at all. Pantomime! PETER PAN by Lorae Parry and Pinky Agnew. 3f, 5m. Peter Pan and the troublesome Tinkerbell whisk Wendy away to the wondrous World of Neverland. Without Google maps, their only directions are: ‘Second on the right and straight on till morning!’

7

What’s On in October and November 2018 Otamatea Repertory Theatre Growing Pains A Cabaret by Whiney Channings & Alexandra McKellar Oct 6 Howick Little Theatre Eugenia by Lorae Parry Oct 3 - 6 I’ll Leave it to You by Noel Coward Nov 19 – Dec 1 Hamilton Playbox Theatre The Vicar of Dibley, the Second Coming by Ian Gower & Paul Carpenter Oct 13 - 27 Te Aroha Little Theatre Middle Aged Spread by Roger Hall Oct 21 – Nov 3 Detour Theatre, Tauranga Vicar of Dibley 3 by Ian Gower & Paul Carpenter Oct 21 – Nov 8 16th Avenue, Tauranga Stepping Out by Richard Harris Nov 23 - Dec 1 Te Puke Repertory Try This for Size or Moustaches, Muffs and Minstrels by David McPhail &Jon Gadsby Nov 20 – Dec 1 Rotorua Little Theatre Teechers by John Godber Oct 24 – Nov 3 Centre Stage Taupo Jesus Christ Super Star by Andrew Lloyd Webber Oct 9 – 13 Gisborne Unity Theatre Kings of the Gym by Dave Armstrong Nov 23 – 30 Napier Repertory The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde Nov 7 – 17 Dannevirke Theatre Co. AUDITION Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Nov 10 – 11 ‘Allo’Allo by Jeremy Lloyd & David Croft Nov 28 – Dec 8 Pahiatua Repertory Soc. Don’t Dress for Dinner by Marc Camoletti Nov 29 – Dec 8 New Plymouth Rep. Soc First Things First by Derek Benfield Nov 20 – Dec 1 TET Cue Theatre, Inglewood Death Knell by James Cawood Oct 30 – Nov 10 Hawera Repertory Molecatcher & The Tram Track Tragedy Michael Kilgriff Nov 10/11 AUDITION Annie by Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse & Martin Charnin Nov 18 Foxton Little Theatre Cinderella by David Swan Nov 30 – Dec 15 Levin Little Theatre A Vicar of Dibley Christmas Special Gower/Carpenter Nov 23 – Dec 8 Kapiti Playhouse Blind Eye by April Phillips Nov 21 – Dec 1 Mana Little Theatre Take a Chance on Me by Roger Hall Nov 21 – Dec 1 Porirua Little Theatre Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber Nov 14–Dec 1 Khandallah Arts Theatre A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams Oct 11 - 20 Stagecraft Theatre & Wellington Repertory Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies Adapted by Mike Poulton from Hilary Mantel Nov 3 - 23 Drama Christi Gift of the Magi by O’Henry Nov 29 – Dec 1 Hutt Repertory Theatre Tom Sawyer by Dave Barton & Matt Bond Oct 1 - 6 Jack and the Beanstalk by Roger Hall Nov 28 – Dec 8 Heretaunga Players Going, Going, Gone by John Peel Nov 15 - 24 Takaka Drama Society This is a Test by Stephen Gregg Oct 15 -30 Nelson Repertory Theatre Christmas Carol, Steampunk Style adpt Jared McDavis Nov 15-24 Nelson Youth Theatre Dream Works: Madagascar, A Musical Adventure to Oct 5 Marlborough Repertory Soc. Footrot Flats the Musical by Roger Hall, Philip Norman, AK Grant Nov 14 – 24 Canterbury Repertory The Hollow by Agatha Christie Nov 21 – Dec 1 Riccarton Players Annie by Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse & Martin Charnin Oct 6 - 13 South Cant. Drama League The ACB of Honora Lee by Kate De Goldi Oct 5 – 12 Blackadder Goes Forth by Richard Curtis & Ben Elton Nov 8 - 24 Globe Theatre, Dunedin Cinders, the True Story by David Tristram Nov 29 – Dec 8 Fiordland Players Cabaret Style Show Early Nov

8

TheatreFest Snippets Comment received from two of the teams at Finals “TNZ is doing a wonderful job of encouraging the future creators of theatre in Aotearoa/New Zealand as well as providing a fabulous platform for encouraging and challenging those already established amateur practitioners. Please let all involved know that we are grateful for the huge amount of time, care and love of the craft they all put into TheatreFest 2018.” And “It has been an amazing experience for my team. They are full of happiness and ideas for 2019, inspired by what they saw and the people that they worked with at every level. It was disappointing that there were no nominations this year for either Meritorious Service or the David Brockett Award for Backstage Achievement.

Editor Margaret Robertson

Technical Assistance Morris Robertson

Deadline for December/January Backchat 20 November 2018

Send Theatre New Zealand communications to

info@theatrenewzealand.co.nz or Box 22 249 Wellington 6441